Laptop Purchasing Woes

[Lpspider]

I was all set-up and ready to by my laptop. I had it all planned. I was going to get a customized compaq presario notebook computer - for around $1300 dollars.

Thing is, I just got PCWorld's magazine and I found out that Microsoft Window's Longhorn is set for release in about a year - so I don't know if I still want to buy the computer if the operating system's going to be outdated in a year.

On top of that everyone seems to be praising Mac/Apple computers - and I don't know if I want that instead. Thing is, if I did get one, it would have to be a fourteen inch iBook as opposed to the expensive Powerbooks. And I have very little experience with Apple mac's and their operating system, so I'm just a bit confused.

I don't know what I'm going to do...advice appreciated.

[que]

I have a dell inspiron 15.1 screen for around $1K. However I regret I did not get xp pro instead of xp home. Othe then that it's a great system.

Keep in mind that if you go with a Mac you will have to buy all new software in addition to familiarizing yourself with a mac o/s. So if you have alot of software, well that could be a hidden significant addtional cost for switching over. Best of luck with your choice.

[da king]

I face a similar dillema. I don't know which operating system to get. I'm "iffy" about Windows because of all the security risks and likelyhood of viruses. And I don't want to buy a computer now and then again in two years...I want something of quality that will last.

[Lpspider]

Wow, I know how that is. I mean, why spend over a thousand dollars on a laptop - or a computer in general - if you can get it for four or five hundred and get a much better one in two years?

[augustine]

But then the rate where the hardware upgrades is so fast that its not really advisable to spend thousands on a laptop.
Just get one that works and a powerful desktop.

Also if you don't like a Mac don't go for it as I see a lot of people 'faking' their likings because since they spent thousands on something that they don't like, its a sorry form of coverup. There is actually psychological research on this kind of behaviour...

Mac to me is just a cool and 'i am different' feature and nothing else. ( Don't get me wrong, I have used Macs before but I did not like it )

[scattershot]

The speeds of desktops are quite insignificant after 2.0Ghz, just have more ram and a good video card you should be able to get by properly.
Its more of connection speeds to the internet now rather than how fast your PC can run.

[narayan]

Dont wait for Longhorn, just get the best specs you can at this date.

[Pedro Parker]

I know this post was a while ago, but I just have to say I bought myself a new Macbook Pro and it was the best purchase of my life.

I hope everything went well with your purchase

[vectorizor]

I just recently purchased a IBM/Lenovo T60 (15 inch with Flexview) and I'm loving it. It balances portability and power very well. It's also very durable. The reviews from most sites grade it very favorably despite it's price.

[Spartan Erik]

it is a good idea to purchase a laptop that is vista capable, since i doubt microsoft will be pre-installing vista for a year or two (as of now the market is bloated with xp users)